“The sparklers send off just before the meal was also one of the main highlights of the day. It was a real surprise and treat for all our guests and made for great photos too.”
The couple: Denise Murphy & Andrew Butler
Length of engagement: 20 Months | Wedding date: December 30th 2016
Wedding venue: Springfort Hall Hotel & Country House, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Photographer: Emma Russell Photography
We met… 15 years ago in 2001. We met by chance through mutual friends. We were obviously teenagers and never thought at the time that we would end up as husband and wife.
Our proposal… A beautiful day, February 7th 2015 on my 30th birthday (Denise). We went to Limerick for a weekend away and got engaged in the Savoy Hotel, Limerick.
My dress… was a Jesus Peiro gown which I purchased in ‘Say I Do’ bridal, Midleton, Co. Cork. I knew I wanted plain and simple but classic and felt lace was clichéd at this stage so thankfully I found what I was looking for.
My hair and makeup… my hair was done by Claire Clernon, The Hair Studio, Kanturk and my makeup was done by Gina Moynihan from Head 2 Toe Beauty Salon, Kiskeam, Co. Cork. I was absolutely thrilled with both.
His suit… The black Tux which Andrew wore with a black dickie bow and scoop waistcoat was from Morleys Dress Hire, Grand Parade, Cork. Mandatory Manchester United cufflinks were purchased online.
Our ceremony… took place in the Honan Chapel, UCC, Cork. Also, we had Bellecanto Professional Event Singers who were fantastic.
What our bridal party wore… The bridesmaids wore gold sequin full length dresses from Ladyvb.com and the groomsmen wore black tuxes with black dickie bows and regular waistcoats. Also, cufflinks purchased online to suit individual taste!!!
We chose our photographer because… we had seen Emma’s (Emma Russell Photography) work online and thought it was unique and very natural which was exactly what we wanted.
We chose our venue because… we have a history with Springfort Hall Hotel & Country House as two of my sisters also got married there. It is a family run hotel and hospitality and food is always exquisite.
Our wedding theme/colours… We didn’t really have a wedding theme per say, I just knew I wanted gold bridesmaid dresses so keeping that in mind, everything else was based around that colour.
Our menu… classic and appealing to most appetites. We had to incorporate ‘apple tart’ into the desserts as this is a true favourite of Andrews!!
Our honeymoon… was in Oman and Dubai. Winter sunshine and relaxation, it was amazing.
My favourite part of the wedding day… there was so many to choose from!! From early morning everything ran smoothly. The sun shone in my bedroom window as I was getting ready and that really added to the mood for the day ahead. The sparklers send off just before the meal was also one of the main highlights of the day. It was a real surprise and treat for all our guests and made for great photos too.
My piece of advice for other brides… to relax. Everything really does come together. Trust in yourself and what you want. Try not to let ‘the outside world’ put added pressure on you by encouraging you to include extras on your big day that you don’t actually want (or need).
Suppliers
Venue: Springfort Hall Hotel & Country House, Mallow, Co. Cork | Photographer: Emma Russell | Videographer: John Liston | Flowers: Wonderous Weddings | Hair: Claire Clernon – The Hair Studio | Makeup: Gina Moynihan – Head 2 Toe Beauty Salon | Band: Wallstreet | DJ: Mike Fitzgerald | Church music: Bellecanto | Cake: Esther Truslove (family friend) | Bride’s Dress: Say I Do | Bridesmaids Dresses: Ladyvb.com | Suits: Morleys | Invitations: Bridetobee.ie | Jenga guestbook: Etsy | Rings and earrings: Keanes Jewellers